Powered by 4 - Oct. 11, 2012

today's reading.Revelation 15 Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and amazing, seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last, for with them the wrath of God is finished...

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We've now reached the final set of seven judgments--the bowl judgments, and the end of the tribulation period is near. Seven angels unleash these horrific judgments and it appears that they are set in motion in fairly rapid succession. God is in control and the people are seeing His righteousness being demonstrated through judgment and wrath. Yet as we saw with earlier judgments, there is no sense of remorse, repentance, or turning toward God. Instead, we're told the people "cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent or give him glory" (vs. 9); they "cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds" (vs. 11); and yet again they "cursed God for the plague of the hail" (vs. 21).

How we choose to respond to the events in our lives, and ultimately to God, who is in control of our lives, is critical. Life isn't a cake walk. Tough things--death, sickness, financial problems, failed relationships, job loss, you name it--are going to happen.

So what can we do to keep our hearts open and submissive to God and His authority and control at all times? And how can we prepare now for when one of those hard times hits us head on? Tami W.

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